Children and Guns

Let me start off by saying that I respect the 2^nd Amendment of the Constitution, and I am not an advocate of hindering anyone who is legitimately eligible to possess a firearm. However, I strongly oppose introducing guns to children. Like the license to drive, a certain amount of maturity is required to possess and properly use a gun to assure its safety. We don’t let children drive, and I don’t believe we should introduce guns to children either.

On Sunday, January 27, The New York Times featured a story, “Selling a New Generation on Guns,” that provided an exposé on the efforts of the firearms industry to introduce guns to children. Why would we encourage this? The use of guns requires not only some basic skills, but because of the lethality of the gun, it also requires some discretion. The developmental capacity of most children and adolescents to responsibly use a firearm is greatly diminished because of their age and any number of factors that make placing a gun in the hands of children inconceivable to me.

Recently, I was involved in a discussion involving one of our adolescent residents who had been introduced to guns by his father on a recent home visit. Although we were not concerned that the boy would have a gun in his possession, we were concerned that he did not possess the self-control or reasoning capacity to assure that he could use a gun appropriately. With proper support, this resident has increasingly seen his ability to manage anger and impulses. But until he is able to master these issues, providing him with access to firearms is not advised. Luckily our staff had enough of a rapport with both parent and child that we were able to address the issue and identify ways to bond other than at the shooting range.

Some would say that restricting access to guns for children is only common sense. It does not require any additional legislation; it just requires that we take responsibility for safeguarding our children as we do with so many other things. However, parents and families need to be supported in their efforts; and an environment that encourages access to guns for children can undermine the efforts of any well-intended parent.

What concerns me about the strategy that is being employed by the firearms industry is the insidious way recreational shooting is introduced into the lives of children. The firearms industry has demonstrated little consideration of the children’s ability to understand the potential for deadly impact of the sport.

The Dream

There was something especially poignant about the presidential inauguration held on the same day as the nation celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was not just moving because it was the inauguration of an African American, but because President Obama chose on this occasion to address some of the civil rights issues that challenge our generation.

Only a few days have passed since the inauguration, but much has been said about the tone and tenor of the speech, lauded by some as visionary and by others as confrontational. What impressed me about the speech was that it was a synopsis of some of the critical issues that confront us. In particular I was encouraged by the line, “Our journey is not complete until all our children…know that they are cared for, cherished, and free from harm.”

The issues are easy to identify; the challenge, of course, is how to address them. I’m afraid that in the current polarized political environment the debate regarding the best approach to these issues may lead to inaction. This, of course, is not acceptable especially when the well-being and safety of our children is concerned. Regardless of any particular disposition on this and other issues, we must encourage our political leaders to find common ground on which to act.

In light of Dr. King’s civil rights legacy, I would suggest that assuring our children are cared for is akin to a civil rights issues. With this reference, I do not mean in any way to minimize the extraordinary struggle that was required to successfully establish civil rights for people of color in our nation. But I do feel it is appropriate to liken the efforts to secure the well-being of all children, especially those who have been traumatized by neglect andindifference, to such a struggle.

Today there are more children living in poverty than at any other time in recent memory. Funding for education has seen draconian cuts at all levels especially by state goverments. Children who have been served within the child welfare system continue to be more likely to fail in school and falter to gain employment as adults. The statistics all point to generations that have been jeopardized and, as a result, their dreams and hopes hindered--their rights denied!

Many have eloquently voiced the dream of a nation where children are cherished and kept from harm. Yet, the education and well-being of our vulnerable youth are often sacrificed because of pressing fiscal concerns and a host of other priorities. What could be more important than the success of our children?

If left unattended, the needs of our most vulnerable children and youth will become a devastating legacy that has the potential to haunt us just as much as the historic deprivation of civil rights has.

Like any change, it will be generated not by policy makers and electedofficials, but by individuals who embrace a dream and labor to see it realized. A hundred years ago, Evelyn Wile, our founder, had a dream and garnered the support of many to establish a mission to make a lasting impact on the lives of children disadvantaged by death, disease, destitution, and divorce. Today we embrace that mission and continue to apply our expertise and resources to realize the dreams of all we serve. As her example led the way to reforms that advanced the good care of orphaned children, we are committed to do the same and advance the provision of quality care for all we serve.  In the process, we hope to be the catalyst to assure that children are cared for, cherished, and free from harm!

Now is the time!

One of the most disturbing revelations I have heard in the 25 years of working with very vulnerable children was from a young boy in a residential program who mentioned to me that he had been abused at gun point. This encounter led me to ask: what drives someone to be so abusive? Why is a child the object of such violence? How does someone so disturbed have access to a gun?

The answer to the last question is that guns of all sorts are easily accessible in our society. As a nation we have lost Presidents and, most recently, innocent children to gun violence and we have yet to effectively address this issue. Perhaps the senseless act of violence in Newtown, Connecticut just a month ago will prompt some action. I can only hope that this is the case and that we can muster the resolve and courage as a nation to insist that our elected officials act. 

Violence is part of our human experience; it is a reality that we confront daily on our street corners, in our homes, in places near and far. For those we serve at Hillsides such violence is the cause of the trauma that they experience and the root of the disturbances that they display. The mental health issues that we address are typically based on this trauma.

Understandably the Newtown deaths have called attention to the mental health of the perpetrators of gun violence. While it is a concern and must be addressed as part of a comprehensive solution to such violence, it is just one element of an overall approach.  It is important to understand that the vast majority of those who suffer from some form of mental illness are, more often than not, the victims of violence and not the perpetrators of it.

More than anything else, it is important to address mental illness as any other health issue. Health is restored when ailments are quickly identified and treatment is sustained. The same is true with regard to mental health. The issue really is that mental illness is often denied and minimalized with the hope that it will pass. As a result, the vast majority of people with mental illness do not receive treatment. The lack of resources to effectively address the demand for care only makes the situation more critical.

The tragedy in Newtown has prompted all us to take seriously the role we have to play in supporting members of our families and community who may be suffering from mental illness. This is a time for us to be attentive to those among us who are vulnerable and need some assistance. This is a time for us to be supportive of measures to increase access to mental health services. This is a time for us to insist that the appropriate resources are made available to effectively treat those who are experiencing some form of mental illness. This is a time for us to do everything we can to eliminate gun-related violence.

Much to celebrate

As I walked around at the Christmas Eve celebration for our residents who were on campus that evening, I came across one of our adolescent boys who greeted me with a smile and what seemed to me a strange question. I've seen him deal with a number of challenges and have always admired how he managed through them. On this evening he was all smiles, clearly having a good time, happy to partner up with one other resident to entertain the gathering with some impressive dance moves. As we sat together catching up on how the holiday was progressing, he looked at me and asked, “You are not going anywhere, are you? Will you be around Hillsides for a while?"

As I assured him that I wasn't going anywhere, I could not help but wonder where that question was coming from. Maybe my premature grey hair gave him the impression that I might be at the end of my career! What I think the question expressed was his appreciation for the relationships he has with me and others at Hillsides and how important these relationships are to him. As gratifying as his acknowledgment is, my hope for him is that he can learn from the relationships he has been able to establish, knowing that trusting adults look out for his best interests and support him as he makes his way through many challenges.

 

For this boy and all these children we serve, this new year must be about helping them achieve much so that by this time next year they can find themselves safe, confident and secure in a permanent home.

2013 is our centennial year and aside from marking this milestone with great celebrations, the goals for this year are what they have been throughout this century: to keep those we serve safe, to provide them services and care that improve their lives, and to set them on a path to success. The measure of our success will be their achievements.

We have much to celebrate in this centennial year and hope that all of you will consider joining us at our annual gala on February 23. Look for a special edition of THE Magazine this month that will feature Hillsides and presents a very succinct and compelling picture of the critical services we offer. Share it will family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues as a way of advocating for the important mission of creating lasting change for all we serve. 

 

Centennial kick off

Even growing up on the East Coast the Tournament of Roses Parade was a New Years’ Day tradition. While getting ready to enjoy a late lunch with family and friends we would all sit around the TV commenting on the beautiful floats and the envious climate of Southern California. Little did I realize that I would someday be in the parade let alone riding on top of the Wells Fargo stagecoach wearing a Stetson! Riding along with me was Melinda Snyder, our Wells Fargo board member and four of our clients who represented the array of services that we offer (read about our riders).  Needless to say, participating in the Rose Parade was a lot of fun and an experience of a lifetime for all of us. We are very grateful to Wells Fargo for their generosity and this wonderful opportunity.

The Tournament of Roses is such a grand event. It is an opportunity for Pasadena to showcase the community and celebrate its many attributes. It does so in a most unique way and as a result, it becomes a high standard for other communities who try to emulate it. How appropriate then that this should be the very first of many events that will allow us also to showcase who we are as a premier provider of child welfare and education services and celebrate the contribution we make to the community.

There is nothing subtle about the Rose Parade; it is a display of extraordinary creativity and well-deserved pride that brings together various people and interests to celebrate a community at its best. The celebrations that we have planned for this centennial year are all extraordinary. They will call attention, not only to who we are and those we serve, but in a special way the events will celebrate the standard of care that has been established for some of the most vulnerable in our community. Like the Rose Parade that is dependent on the support and goodwill of the community to be successful, we, too, will celebrate this year the exceptional support we receive from the community and how we continue to depend on it.

I hope that you plan to join us in celebrating this landmark event, especially by attending our centennial gala on February 23. That evening we will celebrate the lives of many who have been so dedicated to vulnerable children and have been generous in their support of our mission.  As always, all we do is meant to benefit those we serve. In a special way, this celebration will generate the support we need to fulfill our historic mission to create lasting change for all we serve. So mark your calendar now, reserve your tickets, and join with us as we mark our centennial. Happy New Year!